Microfinance – A Key to Social Empowerment of Women: A Study with Reference to Dakashina Kannada District, Karnataka State

Vol 10 , Issue 2 , July - December 2023 | Pages: 14-34 | Research Paper

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https://doi.org/10.17492/jpi.pragati.v10i2.1022302

Published Online: December 15, 2023

Author Details ( * ) denotes Corresponding author

1. * Therese Pereira, Associate Professor, Commerce, Government First Grade College Kavoor, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India (ancillatanusha@gmail.com)

In the changing economic scenario, women empowerment is considered as the most important issue for the inclusive growth. In India microfinance through self-help groups is regarded as the most effective means towards the empowerment of women in economic, social and political fronts. Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka State, being the coastal hub, provides better platform for women to involve themselves in social and economic activities. Self-help groups are instrumental in this regard. So, this research paper makes an attempt to study the effectiveness of microfinance in empowering the women socially and the role of self-help groups (SHGs) in achieving this objective. It explains various parameters which have led to social empowerment of women in this area. The paper is prepared based on the primary data collected through questionnaire from the members of self-help groups. The study shows that the SHGs play an important role in social empowerment of women.

Keywords

Self-help Groups; Social Empowerment; Microfinance; Inclusive Growth

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